Sir
It is an easy and comfortable paradigm, to look to big new exciting developments to drag our province from the depressing unemployment, inequality and poverty cycle.
However, KZN needs more than this.
While we may have wonderful luxury hotels, new industry and growth within our special economic zones we need to get the basics right, something the ANC fail to do through their so-called ‘Radical Transformation’. As the party which has broken our country’s economy, the ANC is certainly not in a position to transform it.
The only way for our province to transform is through Redress, not more Division.
What KZN really needs is an investment. It is also important that the excitement of welcoming any new private investments be replicated in order to empower people to grow their own small and medium enterprises. However, the revelations of the Zondo Commission raise concerns around matters such as permissions, water use licenses and other such matters, which may just require some donations or board appointments. Clearly, this is a move which only benefits patronage interests rather than those of the province.
In June, the DA tried, by making an appointment, to see certain officials and some of the KZN co-operatives SMME’s sites supported by the KZN Legislature. We were refused at the last minute, so called on DA Chief Whip, Francois Rodgers. After this, we received profuse apologies from MEC Zikalala and his then HOD. Eventually, we met with the officials – a very tense meeting – and made arrangements to visit two co-ops in Durban and another two in King Cetshwayo at a later stage. Yet when I called the Director to query when the appointment would take place, I was told that I needed the MEC’s permission. This is not acceptable. As Members of the Legislature, we have been elected to perform oversight. The MEC needs to get his Department to conform and commit to transparency.
This ‘ducking and diving’ by the Department raises serious suspicions around whether the whole budget is being wasted on salaries rather than being spent on empowering our people. As KwaZulu-Natal’s official opposition, the DA remains committed to its oversight role in this province. There can be no ‘brighter future’ without accountability.
Ann McDonnell, MPL
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